RIP, Big Bird

Growing up watching Sesame Street, Arthur, and various other PBS shows, I was immediately disheartened to hear that if Romney becomes president, he would cut funding to programs like public television.

To put it in other words; if elected, Romney is going to kill Big Bird.

Big Bird won’t be the only victim either. After rudely interrupting him numerous times, Romney told interviewer Jim Lehrer, who co-produces PBS’s NewsHour, that he was going to cut funds to the station. This comment was not without a snarky chuckle and a spiteful smirk. Yeah, as if talking over him during the entire debate wasn’t obnoxious enough.

Oh, and we can’t forget about poor Elmo, Mr. Snuffaluffagus, Oscar the Grouch, and most importantly, the young viewers. Sesame Street taught me how to read and do arithmetic! (Sorry mom, your flashcards had nothing on The Count). I’m sure I’m not the only one, and now Romney is going to try and take that away from today’s kids? Think of Mr. Noodle!

Now I know that this is far from the most pressing issue being discussed in the debate, and an entirety of about 6 seconds was spent on the topic. Will this actually have any real negative effects besides parents having to console their grief stricken, Elmo loving children? Probably not. But to me, and many other kids who grew up with Saturday morning PBS, it’s a sad idea.

The list of Romney’s potential discontinued programs is ever growing. If he’s elected, prepare to say goodbye to universal health care, women’s reproductive rights, and most the heartbreaking; Big Bird.